Will Danios Nipping Each Other Stop?

[DragonLass]

I added 6 danios to my tank about 5 days ago. 4 zebras, and 2 long finned leopards.
I was feeding them this morning and I noticed one of the leopards had jammed himself headfirst in between 2 large pieces of gravel. He was still alive, so I moved one of the pieces of gravel and he came out and started swimming around again. He seemed OK, but I notice a large part of his tail fin has been ripped off.
Although I didn't see it, from what I know about danios it is probably likely that one of the others has nipped him?
If that's the case, would it just be because they are still working out who is boss of the tank? Or is this something I will need to be constantly vigilant for with the long finned guys?

The nipped fish seems fine now btw, he is eating greedily and seems to be swimming ok. I'm treating the tank with melafix.

 

[Robotochan]

Danios are rough players and also have a social order with 1 female being dominant. I'd assume it'll calm down, make sure there is somewhere for them to hide when the playing gets too rough

 

[matt1713]

i had that same problem when the lady from petsmart gave me 4 zebra danios and 2 longfin leapords instead of zebras. Well the zebras just all ganged up on the leapords and i had to return them. So i would return the leapords and get 2 more zebras.

 

[DragonLass]

thanks for the tips.
They seem to have calmed down a bit now. But you are right, they really are rough players! Quite cute though, I am really enjoying having the danios. Seems the Golden leopard one has asserted herself as the boss of the tank.
There are a few hidey places in the tank, might add a few more though

 

[GRJ]

I had the opposite problem. I got 2 zebra and 1 leopard danios from pets at home and aftre a week the leopard danio was going crazy, nipping everything in the tank, it was relentless so i ended up having to take him back as the fish weren't getting any peace with him. My 2 zebras are fine now and play along nicely with all their tank mates! GRJ

 

[Robotochan]

It was probably the dominant female, but you should have at least 6 Danios in a tank for them to even out aggressive play time